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Archive for November, 2009

This will just be a quick post to give a few small tips regarding resume submission when completing an online application. There are basically two types of submission methods used depending on the company. Some companies offer a direct way to browse, select, and upload your resume in Microsoft Word (or a similar) format. This is easy enough, my advice would be the same as if you were submitting a hardcopy resume (See my list of Resume Tips articles for more information).

So let’s focus on the other form of resume submission. This common method requires you to submit your resume in text format via a text entry box. Companies like this submission process because it allows the information to be dumped into the company’s own database which optimizes keyword search and resume review.

2) Consider replacing bolded headings (which won’t show up in a plain text format) with all capitalized headings to help segment your text resume.

3) Simplify your resume’s formatting so that all lines are left aligned.

4) Add extra info. As you may know I am a big advocate of the one-page resume for most recent graduates. The online resume submission, however, does allow you to “cheat” and add a little extra information to your resume since there is no idea of a “page” in text format. Be cautious however, the fundamental philosophy of a susinct and powerful resume still holds. Click here for a post on the reason for a one-page resume.

5) Try it out first! Have a copy of your resume available in text format so that you can simply cut and paste when filling out online applications.